Sprinkler system



3 Sheets-Sheet l A R W E 1 W I A TTORNE Y.

May 4, 1937. J. E. WALLACE I SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18,.1932

JOHN E U GENE WALLACE Fig 1 May 4, 1937.

J. E. WALLACE SPRINKLER SYS TEM Filed Aug. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I lllllll IHH JOHN EUGENE WALLACE INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

May 4, 11937.

J. E. WALLACE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOHN EUGENE WALLACE INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented ,May 4, 1937 2&79368 SPRINKLER SYSTEM Lynn, Mass.

Application August 18, 1932, Serial No. 629,296

4 Claims.

My present invention relates to sprinkler systems for fire protection or the like and has as one of its objects improvements in the usual signal or alarm means providedto give notification that water is flowing into the sprinkler system from the service main. Further and to provide such in proper combination, I contemplate certain structural features which cooperate to provide in the system that practical efficiency which is necessary for any device or system to qualify or be ofilcially recognized by those charged with the responsibility of accepting or rejecting improvements in the practical or commercial development of this art. In this connection, it may be pointed out that it is imperative that such signals as are above suggested as desirable be so safely guarded that there will not be false alarms caused by surge or water hammer or like fluctuations in pressure in the service main. It is also imperative that no failure of signal shall take place. It is better that false alarms eventuate than that no signal be given when there is actual need for attention being drawn to the fact that water is escaping from the system by reason of fire or otherwise. Failure of alarm has developed in many systems used, due to dirt and sediment accumulated from waters passing through and acting to clog the alarm devices and by reason of such failures, great water damage resulted.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown illustrative valve and alarm devices which indicate practical working structures and such as may be by modification made to accomplish the spirit of my invention.

In such drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central section of a wet alarm check valve adapted to provide in the system indicated a practical control basis for retardance.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through such an alarm check valve casing with indicated connections with the retarder device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a form of retarder device, and

Fig. 4 is a modified form of the retarder and one having various practical advantages.

In the drawings I have indicated at l the casing of an alarm check valve adapted to be disposed in the riser of a sprinkler system and at I the valve cover. The alarm check valve has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3. The clapper valve 4 has a seat 4 The valve clapper arm 5 is integral with the auxiliary arm 7 and is connected by a nut and bolt 5 to the valve 4. The arm 5 is pivoted in the casing on the bearing rod 6 around which the valve hinges. The rod 6 has terminal bearings in bosses 6 on the casing walls.

An auxiliary valve 8 is carried by the auxiliary arm 1 and held in adjustment by a nut and spring l to close the auxiliary port 9 leading out through the side of the casing.

The auxiliary valve 8 is in a boss l0 projecting from inside of the casing. This is drilled through from the outside to form the auxiliary port 9 and counter-drilled to form the seat for the auxiliary 10 valve 8. A pipe communication w between port 9 and the retarder chamber is provided to pass the water to the retarder casing l2. A drain-oil nipple I I is threaded into the casing and connects the pipe ii! to the casing. 15

I provide in such a system a retarder having as shown in Fig. 3 an expansion chamber I 2 within a casing I2. The port 12 in the retarder chamber communicates through a pipe Ill with the auxiliary port 9 of the wet valve. 20

In the form shown in Fig. 3, an escape port l3 provided with a valve stem guide lS and valve seat I3 is threaded into the bottom of the retarder casing. A drainage connection l4 surrounding the escape connects with the drain pipe 25 I5 leading to sewer or other means of water disposal.

Referring to the form shown in Fig. 3, a small vent port 16 and pipe H5 leads from the vent to a drain catch. The retarder chamber head I! 30 tightly holds the control diaphragm I! to the flanges of the retarder chamber casing l2 and provides a stop to prevent undue distortion of the diaphragm by reason of pressure in the chamber l2 A push block I8 is assembled with the dia- 35 phragm I! by a threaded end projecting through a hole in the center of the diaphragm with a nut H3 firmly holding the push block to the diaphragm.

The electrical control may be variously provided to respond to the pressure as applied to the diaphragm IT. As shown in Fig. 3, the lever I9 is pivoted at IQ in a bracket on the top of the head H. A rod 20 attached to the push block extends down through the retarder chamber I2 and the valve guide l3 and escape port and carries an escape valve 23.

The alarm stop valve 22 shuts off the passage of pressure water from the service main to the hydraulically operated alarm devices.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the casing 22 of the alarm stop valve has a cover 22 giving access to the alarm stop valve interior. A lock nut 22 holds the escape valve 23 in proper adjustment to the rod 26. The valve 2 t drains from the pipe supplying the hydraulically operated gong and is carried on the valve rod 2%. Adjustment nuts M and 211 hold the valve rod in proper relations to the lever i9 whereby the valve 24 will seat properly when the lever is functions.

The pipe communicates between the alarm stop valve casing 22 and the service main nor mally connected to inlet 2 of the alarm check valve, and a pipe 2&3 communicates between the alarm stop valve casing 22' and the T fitting forming the casing of the drain-off valve 2 3. A pipe Z'i communicates between the T fitting or drain-off casing and a hydraulically operated alarm device located at some convenient point.

In this form shown in Fig. 8, I have indicated at 28 one of two similar contactor arms insulated on lever 59 and at 29 one of two cooperating contactor arms. Connections 28 and 29 are provided for wires coming from a source of electric supply and also connected by a short flexible wire 28* to contactor arm 28. The member supports the casing of the alarm valve, and at supports the casing of the alarm valve and in its base provides the pivot Ell for the lever I9.

The casing 32 is of cup formation as a catch basin for drainage. The spring 33 acts against the lever l9 to assist in the return of the operating mechanisms to normal position. The spring 33 is adjusted against the lever i9 as at 33 A pipe 31 communicates with the catch basin 32 enabling water from the catch basin to reach the drain pipe l5.

In the foregoing with reference to Figs. 1-

and 2, it will be noted that in the alarm check valve casing I provide a boss l9 projecting inwards at one side of the casing short enough to allow the valve arm 5 to swing past its end when the valve goes to wide open position. This reduces the size of the casing necessary for proper clearances and puts the entrance to the port 9 in the boss iii in a position where it is protected and shielded by the clapper 4 and is least liable to catch sediments and dirt carried by the water. Only very light matter, held in suspension in the water, will enter the auxiliary port 9 and such roily water will pass through into the retarding chamber 52 and out through the escape port is or vent through the port it should the auxiliary port 9 stay open long enough to cause the alarm device to function. Failure of the alarm cannot take place, because in the event of fire calling for water the alarm operating means will have acted and the alarm device be functioning before dirt and sediment in any quantity will have been stirred up in the street mains to be carried through the alarm check valve, past the shielded auxiliary port 9 and since the only Water entering the auxiliary port at that time is the small amount of water escaping through the vent port it in the retarding chamber I2 there is no velocity of water entering the auxiliary port 9 to draw in dirt and sediment. If, however, small quantities do enter and accumulate to finally cause clogging of the escape port 13, the result will be false alarms instead of failure of alarms.

The auxiliary arm l is offset from the valve arm 5 so that the auxiliary valve 8 carried by the arm 1 comes into proper engagement with the valve seat of the auxiliary port 9 in the boss Ill which projects inwards from the valve casing.

The operation of the valve and retarder is as follows:

In the event that one or more sprinkler heads open because of fire or for other reason,

water will flow into the system to replace water escaping from the sprinkler head and in so doing will pass through the casing of the wet valve intersecting the riser of the sprinkler system.

In passing from the inlet to the outlet 3 of the alarm check valve it raises the water clapper 4 from its seat which results in a movement upwards of the valve arm 5 swinging on the pivot 6 to move back the auxiliary arm 7 carrying the auxiliary valve 8 back and releasing the flow of pressure water into auxiliary port 9. From it the water passes through the pipe W connected to auxiliary port 9. The water to reach the retarder chamber 12 enters the latter through port l'Z with which the pipe 19* communicates, a part of the water entering the retarder chamber [2 and escaping through escape port 3 to the drainage connection !4 and the drain pipe l5. Air displaced by the rising water in the retarder chamber l2 escapes through the vent it until the water reaches the level of the vent and since the water cannot escape rapidly through the vent, pressure will develop in the retarder chamber until the diaphragm I1 is forced upwards carrying the push block I 8, raising the inside arm, and lowering the outside arm of the lever IS. The same movement carries along the attached valve rod 20 and valve stem 2!, causing the opening of the alarm stop valve 22 and closing the escape valve 23. The lever movement causes the closing of the drain-off valve 24.

Water pressure from the service main being maintained in the casing 22 through the communicating pipe 25 to the point of closure of the alarm stop valve 22 results that the opening permits the water pressure to pass through the casing into the pipe 26. This is connected with the drain-off valve 24 and since this valve is closed the Water pressure enters the pipe 27 and communicates with the hydraulically operated alarm system for gong or like device giving notification that water is entering the sprinkler system of piping.

The movement of the lever l9 carries the contactor arms 28 into engagement with companion contactor arms 29 to complete a circuit operating electric bells, annunciat'ors, or station announcers at points more or less distant.

Any necessity for water supply to the sprinkler system having ceased the shut-off valve permitting water to enter the system is closed. Is desired, the system may be drained through port ll whereupon water ceases to pass through the alarm check valve casing from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3.

Gravity brings the clapper valve 4 to its seat 8*, the valve arms 5 and land take their normal position of valve closure as shown. The auxiliary valve 8 comes to its seat to close auxiliary port 9. When the water pressure ceases to reach the retarder chamber through the communicating pipe Ill the pressure in the retarder chamber 12 soon falls to a point where the-resiliency of the diaphragm ll, assisted by the pressure of the spring 33, through the lever l9 acting on the push block 18 attached to the diaphragm seats the valve. This causes the valve to move to its normal position, as shown, with the result that the alarm stop valve 22 is closed and the hydraulically operated gong or device ceases to sound an alarm, the contactor arms 28 and 29 disengage and electric alarm devices cease to function. The escape valve 23 is opened and water drains out of the retarder chamber through port l3 to the drainage connection I4 and the drain-off valve 24 is opened. to permit water draining from the pipe 2! to relieve the system communicating with the hydraulically operated alarm devices.

The operation of alarm or signalling devices used in connection with wet valves of the class described must be retarded in order to prevent false alarms resulting from the surging water hammer action that so frequently takes place in water service mains. Any such cause of hammer or surge of water into the piping of a sprinkler system effects a lifting of such as the clapper valve 4 from its seat 4 and correspondingly the auxiliary valve 8 is moved from its seat.

Such a movement permits water to enter the auxiliary port 9 and pass through the communicating pipe I B to the retarder chamber Ii since a portion of the water entering the retarder chamber I2 escapes through port I3 and the volume of water entering is restricted by the size of the admission port IZ In this way any desired time for filling the chamber I2 may be provided and the alarm not sounded unless so filled.

Because of the vent port I6 pressure does not immediately develop in the retarder chamber I2 sufficiently to move the diaphragm I1 and before such pressure is able to develop, any surge of water that has tended to lift the clapper 4 has exhausted itself. The clapper 4 drops back on its seat and the auxiliary valve 8 is correspondingly seated to shut off the admission of water into the auxiliary port 9 leading to the retarder chamber. No alarm actions have taken place and such water as has entered the retarder chamber IZ escapes through port I3 to the drain connections. The ratio of size of ports between port I2 and port I3 is determined by the service pressure.

In the form of a retarder shown in Fig. 4, I provide a chamber II2 within a casing II2 generally similar to that shown and described in connection with Fig. 3. The port II2 in this retarder chamber communicates through pipe II] with port 9 of the wet valve as before described. The escape port I I 3 with its valve stem guide I I3 and valve seat 3 is threaded into the bottom of the retarder casing with the drainage connection H4 surrounding the escape port II3 substantially as described in connection with Fig. 3.

The vent port IIG leads in the form direct to a drain pipe I31. The diaphragm II! is of the bellows type and fastened to the flanges of the retarder casing and carries an axial member H8 to which the rod E29 is attached. This extends down through the retarder chamber H2 and the valve guide H3 and carries the escape valve 23.

The casing I22 of the alarm stop valve contains the alarm stop valve substantially as shown in Fig. 3. The valve I24 drains the pipe I26 of the hydraulically operated gong system being normally held open by the spring I33. The pipe I25, the alarm valve casing I22 and. the inlet 2 of the wet valve (Fig. l) communicates through the pipe I21 with a hydraulically operated alarm system (not shown).

In this form of my retarder I provide a very simple and efficient contact device for the electrical alarm. The stem IZI carries a slightly bowed resilient contact leaf I28 which when depressed bears at its ends on the terminals I29 on insulating supports on the cover of the casing H2. A positive action is provided for the contact H29 by the spring toggle points I I9 carried by the yoke I m These upon a slight movement of the stem I2I snap by their line of center and positively urge the stem in one direction or the other to make or break the circuit.

Such retarders may be variously designed and connected in systems as indicated or in other similar relations to effect the desired retardance as before described.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An alarm operating device for a fire extinguishing system in which the supply line is provided with an alarm check valve having a main discharge port and an auxiliary discharge port, said device comprising a retarding chamber having a flexible diaphragm closing its upper end, a drain opening at its lower end, an inlet port to the retarding chamber adapted to be connected to the auxiliary port of the alarm check valve, said inlet port being of greater cross sectional area than the drain port, a normally closed stop valve mounted on said retarding chamber having its inlet adapted to communicate directly with the supply line on the inlet side of the alarm check valve, a hydraulically operated alarm device communicating with the outlet of the said stop valve, a normally open drainage valve adapted to shut off flow through said drainage port, and means connected to said diaphragm arranged to open said stop valve and close said drainage valve.

2. An alarm operating device for a fire extinguishing system in which the supply line is provided with an alarm check valve having a main discharge port and an auxiliary discharge port, said device comprising a retarding chamber having a flexible diaphragm closing its upper end, a drain opening at its lower end, an inlet port to the retarding chamber adapted to be connected to the auxiliary port of the alarm check valve, said inlet port being of greater cross sectional area than the drain opening, a vent port in the upper portion of said retarding chamber of smaller cross sectional area than said drain opening adapted to vent air from the said retarding chamber until sealed by the water rising in said retarding chamber, a normally closed stop valve mounted on said retarding chamber having its inlet adapted to communicate directly with the supply line on the inlet side of the alarm check valve, a hydraulically operated alarm device communicating with the outlet of the said stop valve, a normally open drainage valve adapted to shut off flow through said drain outlet, and means connected to said diaphragm arranged to open said stop valve and close said drainage valve.

3. An alarm operating device for a fire extinguishing system in which the supply line is provided with an alarm check valve having a main discharge port and an auxiliary discharge port, said device comprising a retarding chamber having a flexible diaphragm closing its upper end, a drain opening at its lower end, an inlet port to the retarding chamber adapted to be connected to the auxiliary port of the alarm check valve, said inlet port being of greater cross sectional area than the drain opening, a vent port in the upper portion of said retarding chamber of smaller cross sectional area than said drain opening and adapted to vent air from said retarding chamber until sealed by water rising in said retarding chamber, means in communication with said vent port to establish communication with said drain, a normally closed stop valve mounted on said retarding chamber having its inlet adapted to communicate directly with the supply line vided with an alarm check valve having a main discharge port and an auxiliary discharge port, said device comprising a retarding chamber having a flexible diaphragm closing its upper end,

a drain opening at its lower end, an inlet port to the retarding chamber adapted to be connected to the auxiliary port of the alarm check valve, said inlet port being of greater cross sectional area than the drain opening, a normally closed stop valve mounted on said retarding chamber having its inlet adapted to communicate directly with the supply line on the inlet side of the alarm check valve, a hydraulically operated alarm device communicating with the outlet of said stop valve, a drain valve in said communication between the stop valve and hydraulically operated alarm device, means normally urging said drain valve to open position, a normally open drainage valve adapted to shut off flow through said drain opening, and means connected to the diaphragm arranged to open said stop valve and close said drainage valve controlling the drain opening and means operable upon the opening of the said step valve to efiect closing of the drain valve in said communication 15 to the hydraulically operated alarm device.

JOHN EUGENE WALLACE. 

